Five Things You Should Know About Cannabis and Your Pets

Pets are an essential part of many people’s lives, offering unconditional love, affection, and companionship. While it’s only natural to think of them as furry little humans, that kind of thinking can be harmful to your pet’s health, especially when administering cannabis treatments. Sometimes, pets raid their owner’s stash and overconsume the herb, which can then cause severe side-effects. On the other hand, there are a growing number of veterinarians and other professionals who support the use of CBDs to treat pets. You may be a cannabis consumer yourself, and as a loving, responsible pet owner, you want what’s best for your furry friend. That means learning about the health benefits and risks of cannabis.

Health Benefits

Some pet owners use cannabis-based treatments to ease their pet’s separation anxiety, calm noise fears, as well as treating irritable bowel syndrome and lack of appetite. Not surprisingly, most dog owners say that treatments high in CBD were most effective in treating pain, helping their pet sleep better. The Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Associationreported last year that the most common side effects were relaxation and an increased appetite. So, you could say that dogs get the munchies just like people do. That said, pets are not little people, and you have to be very careful about what you give them.

CBD not THC

First, and foremost, it’s important to understand that you should never give your pet any cannabis medicine, edibles, or plant material that contains THC. Sharing your stuff with your pets is a horrible idea because dogs and cats are highly susceptible to its psychoactive properties. However, CBD oils produce similar results to those that humans report. More research is necessary on a clinical level to prove or disprove the plant’s effectiveness and safety for pets. Meanwhile, there are a plethora of hemp-derived CBD remedies on the market that are entirely safe, since they contain almost no THC.

Generally speaking, cannabis treatments are given orally to pets, either in the form of an oil, or an edible dog biscuit, or another snack. There are also some topical treatments available for use as a skin treatment or pain reliever. Seek the help of a veterinarian with experience treating pets with cannabis oil, and research manufacturers to be sure you’re getting high quality, CBD rich oil. If your pet is taking any other medications, you won’t need to worry about drug interactions as there are no known significant risks. Cannabis seems to be able to work in conjunction with most drugs, rather than conflicting, so you don’t have to be concerned.

Keep Them Safe

If you’re a cannabis consumer, you’re very careful to keep your stash away from children, and you need to do the same with your pets. Both cats and dogs are highly sensitive to high-grade medical cannabis, which is extremely dangerous if overconsumed. If your pet eats your stash, keep a close eye on them and monitor their behavior. Sluggish movements, vomiting, and obvious distress are some of the symptoms of THC toxicity. If any of these things start happening, take your dog to the vet immediately and tell the truth about what happened so that they can intervene. Don’t worry too much; your pet will recover, deaths from over-consumption of cannabis are rare.

You love your sweet little fur baby, and you want to make sure they enjoy the best in life. As a cannabis consumer, you also have an inkling that the plant can help your pet, and you’re right. But just sharing your buds with your pet (no matter how well-intentioned) can make them quite ill. Instead, seek out reputable manufacturers of CBD oils and other pet-friendly cannabis products. Talk to your vet about their experiences using cannabis oil and do some online research so that you can make the best choice for you and your pet.

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